Hypodermic syringe assembly



Patented Apr. 1, 1952 OFFICE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE ASSEMBLY Frank E. Brown,Burbank, Calif., assignor to Frederick M. Turnbull, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application Gotober 18, 1948, Serial No. 55,134

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improvedsyringe assembly and in its more specic aspects aims to provide ahypodermic assembly which, if desired, may be thrown away after a singleuse.

By the present invention, improved units which form a part of a syringeassembly are provided. These units are readily manufactured by quantityproduction methods and are capable of being easily grouped together tofurnish an economical and improved apparatus.

As a result of this novel construction herein taught, it is feasible toprovide a segregated grouping of liquid vehicle and medicament inpre-determined and desired quantities; the thus packaged unit beingsusceptible to storage over long periods of time without deteriorationor loss of its contents. Moreover, by the present structure, the vehicleand medicament may be readily intermixed immediately prior to theinjection step. Additionally, the parts may be rendered sterile and maybe maintained in this condition until ready for use.

With these and additional features in mind, reference is had to theattached sheet of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of theinvention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the charged or loadedhypodermic syringe assembly in the form in which it is stored and sold;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partially sectioned of the hypodermicsyringe with the parts arranged in position preparatory to moving theliquid vehicle into contact with the medication;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View partially sectioned of the syringeillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the parts in the position which theyoccupy after the medication and the liquid vehicle have been mixed andprior to their injection;

Figl is a side elevational View partially sectioned of the syringeillustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 with the parts in the position occupied whenthe medication and the liquid vehicle have been ejected from thesyringe;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated .by the arrows5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view partially sectioned of a modiedembodiment of the invention. f

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only, thenumeral II indicates a syringe barrel having therein a bore I2 forming areservoir, which bore extends through one end of the barrel I I. Theother end of the barrel II is provided with a reduced portion forming aboss I3 through which there is extended a passage I4 rcoaxial with thebore I2. Mounted by the boss I3 is a hollow needle I5 having the usualsharpened and pointed forward end.

Slidable within the bore I2 of the barrel II is a primary piston I5. Thepiston I6 is preferably formed with a plurality of annular recesses I'Iseparated by annular ribs I8; the peripheries of the ribs I 8 engagingthe inner wall of the barrel iI in sealing relationship.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5,

inclusive, the primary piston I6 is provided uponits outer end with athreaded projection I9 adapted to be securedwithin a threaded end 20 ofa plunger 2l. The plunger 2l has a chamber 22 extending' from the openthreaded end 20- coaxially with the plunger 2| and terminating withinthe plunger. At its other end the plunger 2| is provided with anenlarged end 23 having a cavity or recess 24 therein formed to receivethe finger of the user.

Formed in the inner wall of the barrel II intermediate it sends are anumber of recesses or grooves 25, illustrated as five in number, for apurpose which will be later described. These grooves or passages extendaxially of the bore I2. They have a length in excess of the lengths ofan Yauxiliary piston to be disposed adjacent to them.

Movable within the bore I2 of the barrel II is a floating or auxiliarypiston 26. This piston, like the primary piston I5, is preferablyprovided with a plurality of annular recesses 21 separated by annularribs 28, the periphery of each of the ribs being in sealing relationshipwith the inner Wall of the barrel II. i

When the syringe is to be charged with the medication and the liquidvehicle therefor, the primary piston I6 and the floating piston 26 arenot in position within the barrel I I. The medication, indicated by thenumeral 29 in Figs. 1 and 2, is positioned within the b'ore I2 adjacentthe forward end thereof. The auxiliary piston 26 is positioned in theouter end of the bore I2 and moved inwardly to the position in which itis illustrated in Figs. l and 2. The liquid vehicle, indicated by thenumeral 30, is introduced into the bore I2 behind the auxiliary piston25. The primary piston l5 is positioned within the outer end of the boreI2, so that the body of liquid vehicle 30 is confined and sealed withinthe bore I2 between the primary piston I6 and the auxiliary piston 25.

The threaded end 20 of the plunger ZI is positioned upon the boss I3 ofthe barrel II; the in'- terior dimensions of such threaded end 2t andthe exterior dimensions of such boss I3 being such that the plunger 2|is conveniently secured to the barrel II by a pressed it. Thisattachment of the plunger 2| to the barrel I I and the sealingengagement of the pistons I6 and 26 with the inner wall of the barrel IIseal the needle within the plunger 2|, so that it is maintained sterile.The structure also seals the medication 29 in the forward portion of thebore I2 and the liquid vehicle 33 in the rearward portion of the boreI2, so that the medication 23 and liquid vehicle 3G therefor aremaintained separate from each other, and their intermixture isprevented.

With the parts arranged as described and as illustrated in Fig. 1, thehypodermic syringe containing a measured amount of the medication 29 anda measured amount of the liquid vehicle 3i) may be stored and shipped toa pharmacist, stored by him until sale to the user, and stored by theuser until the time of use without any danger of impairing the efficacyor volume of the mixture of the medication 23 and the liquid vehicle 30at the time when it is to be injected.

When it is desired to inject a mixture of the medication 29 and theliquid vehicle 3B, the plunger 2| is removed from the boss I3 of thebarrel |I, and the threaded end 26 of the plunger 2| is threaded uponthe projection IQ of the primary piston I6, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Thereafter, the primary piston I6 is moved toward the auxiliary piston26 by exerting pressure upon the enlarged end 23 of the plunger 2|. Thisforward motion of the primary piston I6 advances the body of liquidvehicle 36 and the auxiliary piston 26 until the auxiliary piston is inposition contacting the inner wall of the barrel II between the grooves25, so that the liquid vehicle 3|] may pass through these passagesaround the auxiliary piston 26 into the forward portion of the bore I2,where it contacts the medication 29. The auxiliary piston 26 remains insuch position while the liquid vehicle 3i] bypasses it during the properadvancement of the primary piston I6, because the frictional resistanceto advancement of the auxiliary piston 26 by virtue of its contact withthe inner wall of the barrel II between the grooves 25 is greater thanthe resistance to advancement of the liquid vehicle 39 around theauxiliary piston 26.

When all of the liquid vehicle 30 has by-passed the auxiliary piston 26,the primary piston I6 is in Contact with the auxiliary piston 25. Atthis time the syringe may be vibrated or shaken-if necessary-in order toassure a proper uniform mixture. Thereafter the parts may be advanced soas to expel all air from the needle I5. That needle may now be caused topenetrate the epidermis. Continued pressure upon the enlarged end 23 ofthe plunger 2| advances both the primary piston IG and the auxiliarypiston 26, thus ejecting the mixture of the medication 29 and the liquidvehicle 3i) through the hollow needle I5 and into the body of thepatient.

The parts may be designed and proportioned to receive a pre-determinedamount of vehicle or diluent. Ordinarily the quantity of the latter maybe 1 cc. Thus, the distance between the primary and auxiliary pistonsand the size of the bore I2 will be sulcient to accommodate the propervolume of diluent. This body has been indicated by the reference numeral36. When the parts have been shifted to the position shown in Fig. A3,the area of the bore in advance of the 4 auxiliary piston 26 should beadequate to receive the body of the diluent or vehicle and all of themedicament indicated at 29.

In the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6, inwhich corresponding numbers indicate the parts corresponding to theembodiment previously described, the plunger 2| is provided with a`chamber 3 I. This chamber 3| communicates with an enlarged bore 32 inthe enlarged end 2-3 of the plunger 2 I, and the chamber 3| terminateswithin the plunger 2|. The end of the plunger 2| opposite the enlargedend 23 is provided with a threaded projection 33.

Prior to its use, the plunger 2| is positioned upon the barrel I| by theinsertion of the boss i3 into the enlarged bore 32 with a pressed ttherein, the needle I5 being received and sealed within the chamber 3|,as illustrated by the broken lines in Fig. 6. When in use, the plunger2| is removed from the boss I3, and the threaded projection 33 isthreaded within a threaded bore 34 in the outer end of the primarypiston I6.

An advantage of providing the threaded projection 33 for connecting theprimary piston I6 to the plunger 2| upon the plunger 2|, as illustratedin Fig. 6, instead of upon the outer end of the primary piston I6, asillustrated in Figs. l and 2, is that in the former case the pressureexerted by the plunger 2| upon the primary piston I6 to advance it inthe barrel tends to expand the primary piston |5 to some extent and toincrease its sealing engagement with the inner Wall of the barrel I|.

Formed in the inner wall of the barrel I| are grooves 35. These passages35 differ from those previously discussed and which extend parallel tothe axis of the barrel II in that the grooves 35 arc in the form ofspirals. This structure imparts to the liquid vehicle 30 a swirlingmovement as that vehicle 3|) is discharged into the forward portion ofthe bore |2, increasing the intimacy of the mixture of the medication 29with the liquid vehicle 30.

Either the barrel I| or the primary piston IG and the auxiliary piston25, and preferably all of them, are made of a material or materialshaving a greater resiliency than glass, as, for example, a syntheticresin or natural or synthetic rubber.

It is to be noted that the forward end of the primary piston I6 and theforward end of the auxiliary piston 26 are plane surfaced without anybevel at their peripheries, so that there is no groove dened between theends of the piston and the inner wall of the barrel I| within which anymedication may accumulate. It will also be noted that in all of theillustrated forms of the device the medication compartment has acapacity such that in addition to the medication it may receive thevehicle 36 embraced within the assembly.

The invention finds particular utility in the injection of a suspensionof forms of penicilli" such as crystalline sodium penicillin orcrystalline potassium penicillin (penicillin G), in a liquid vehiclesuch as water.

It finds utility also when the liquid vehicle is water and themedication is a tablet or powder of morphine, coramine, epinephrine, orany of its derivatives, ephedrine, or any oi its derivatives, anycardiovascular stimulant, or any other medication in solid or liquidform in connection with which it is desired to utilize any of theobjects primarily stated herein. A

The needle I5 may be permanently mounted in the passage I4, asillustrated in Fig. 1, and discarded with the syringe after a singleuse, or it may be attached to a collar which is threaded upon the bossI3 and over which the plunger 2| has a. pressed fit when in the positionillustrated by the broken lines of Fig. 6, so that the needle l5 may be-removed for repeated use.

The invention is capable, of utilization also without any needlewhatsoever, .the passage I4 being made of such small dimensions that afine jet of the mixture of the medication 29 and the liquid vehicle 30is ejected under sufliciently high pressure to penetrate the dermis intothe tissues.

Likewise the invention may be utilized in connection with a springactuated plunger 2|, the spring being set and released in a manner notshown but well known in the art.

While the embodiments of my invention hereinbefore illustrated anddescribed are fully capable of performing the objects and accomplishingthe advantages primarily stated, it will be understood that my inventionis not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described,but embraces all modifications thereof coming within the scope of theclaims which follow.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination of: a barrel having anorifice for the discharge of liquid therefrom; a primary piston movablein and in sealing relationship with said barrel; and an auxiliary pistonmovable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel between saidprimary piston and said orice and dividing said barrel into a chamberfor a medication and a separate chamber for the liquid vehicle for themedication, the medication chamber having a capacity such that inaddition to the medication which it may contain it may receive all ofthe liquid vehicle within the separate chamber, said barrel having, inits inner wall, a groove within the medication chamber and short of theend of said barrel, said groove providing a passage through which thevehicle bypasses said auxiliary piston into contact with the medicationduring travel of said auxiliary piston toward said orice.

2. In a hypodermic syringe, the combination of: a barrel having anoriiice for the discharge of liquid therefrom; a primary piston movablein and in sealing relationship with said barrel; and an auxiliary pistonmovable in and in sealing relationship with said barrel between saidprimary piston and said orifice and dividing said barrel into a chamberfor a medication and a separate chamber for the liquid vehicle for themedication, said barrel having, in its inner wall, a groove within themedication chamber and short of the end of said barrel, said grooveproviding a passage through which the vehicle bypasses said auxiliarypiston into contact with the medication during travel of said auxiliarypiston toward said orifice, said groovebeing so spaced from said oriiicethat the portion of said barrel between said orifice and said auxiliarypiston in position for bypass may receive all of said liquid and saidmedication.

3. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing an imperforate body provided with a bore to receive liquidsand to slidably accommodate a stopper, said body being formed with anintegral bypass extending throughout only a portion of its length andintermediate the ends of said bore, said by-pass providing a passage forliquid nor- 6 mally confined Within the bore and to the rear of aresilient stopper within the same, as the latter is shifted axially ofthe bore to a position in line with said by-pass.

4. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic assembly, said unit embracing abody provided with a bore to receive liquids, the face of said borepresenting throughout only a portion of its length relativelyraised andrecessed portions, said portions providing a. by-pass for liquidnormally confined within the bore and to the rear of a resilientstopper, as the latter is shifted axially of the bore to a position inline with said portions.

5. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic assembly, said unit embracing abody provided with a bore to receive liquids, the face of said borepresenting throughout only a portion of its length relatively raised andrecessed portions, extending in a'direction substantially parallel tothe axis of the bore, said portions providing a 4by-pass for liquidnormally confined within the bore and to the rear of a resilientstopper, as the latter is shifted axially of the bore to a position inline with said portions. f

6. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing an imperforate body formed with a bore to receive liquid andto slidably accommodate astopper, the face of said bore presentingthroughout only a portion of its length a groove extending in adirection substantially parallel to the axis of the bore and at apointintermediate the ends .of said body, said groove providing a. by-passfor liquid normally -coniined within the bore and to the rear of aresilient stopper within the same, as the latter is shifted axially ofthe bore to a position in line with said groove.

7. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing in combination a body formed with a bore, relatively raisedand recessed portions within said bore and between the ends of the same,a movable piston disposed within said bore at a point short ofY saidportions and the width of said piston being less than the length of saidportions.

8. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing in combination an imperforate body formed with a bore toslidably accommodate a stopper, said body being integrally formed with agroove in the face of said bore and extending substantially parallel tothe axis of the latter at a `point between the bore ends, a movablepiston disposed within said bore at a point short of said groove and thewidth of said piston being less than the length of said groove wherebywith said piston disposed in line with said by-pass liquid may flowthrough the latter from a point to one side of said piston into the boreto the other side of the same.

9. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing in combination a body formed with a bore and a bypass betweenthe ends of and extending substantially parallel to said bore, a primarypiston within said bore adjacent one end of said body,

an auxiliary piston also within said bore and at a point between saidby-pass and primary piston and deining with the latter a space toreceive liquid and the width of said auxiliary piston being less thanthe length of said by-pass.

l0. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing in combination a body formed with a bore and a bypass betweenthe ends of and extending substantially parallel to said bore, a primarypiston within said bore adjacent one end of said body, an auxiliarypiston also within said bore and at a point between said by-pass andprimary piston and defining with the latter a space to receive liquid,the width of said auxiliary piston being less than the length of saidby-pass and said bodybeyond said auxiliary piston-providing a borecapacity in excess of the body of liquid initially disposed between saidpistons.

l1. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing in combination a body formed with a bore, the face of saidbore presenting throughout only a portion of its length relativelyraised and recessed portions extending in a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of said bore, said portions providing a by-pass, aprimary piston within said bore adjacent one end of said body, anauxiliary piston also within said bore and at a point between saidby-pass and primary piston and defining with the latter a space toreceive liquid and the width of said auxiliary piston being less thanthe length of said by-pass.

12. A unit to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing in conibination a body formed with a bore and a groove withinsaid bore between the ends of the same and extending substantiallyparallel to the bore axis, a primary piston within said bore adjacentone end of said body, an auxiliary piston also within said bore and ata. point between said groove and primary piston and defining with thelatter a space to receive liquids and the width of said auxiliary pistonbeing less than the length of said groove.

13. A unit to form a part of av hypodermic syringe assembly, said unitembracing an imperforate, open-ended body having a single bore extendingthroughout its length, said body being moreover formed with an axiallyextending bypass portion intermediate its ends, a stopper slidablymounted for projection throughout the length of said bore and initiallypositioned at a point short of said by-pass, the width of said stopperbeing less than the length of said bypass and said. stopper beingshiftable to a position in linewith said by-pass to have the ends of thelatter extend beyond the opposite faces of said piston.

FRANK E. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,816,857 Kulik Aug. 4, 19311,961,023 West May 29, 1934' 2,193,322 Lozier et al Mar. 12, 19402,453,589 Poux Nov. 9, 1948 2,453,590l Poux Nov. 9, 1948 2,453,591 PouxNov. 9, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 495,067 Great BritainNov. '7, 1938

